7 Human Rights

There is growing international concern about the human rights situations in various parts of the world. The protection and promotion of human rights is the foundation for peace and stability in the international community. Japan recognizes that human rights are universal values and that the protection of human rights is the basic responsibility of all countries, regardless of differences in the method of achieving this goal and their cultures. While speaking out firmly against any serious violation of human rights, Japan considers, under the basic principle of “dialogue” and “cooperation,” that it is important to promote voluntary efforts of each country through bilateral dialogues and cooperation with countries that are working toward democratization and the protection of human rights. In addition, while advocating the standpoint of bridge-building in Asia and protection of socially vulnerable people, Japan puts effort into improving the global human rights situation through bilateral dialogues, proactive participation in multilateral forums such as the UN, and constructive dialogues with the UN human rights mechanisms. With regard to bilateral dialogues, Japan and the U.S. launched the new Japan-U.S. Strategic Dialogue on Democratic Resilience, and the first session of this dialogue took place in February (Tokyo). The 12th Japan-Cambodia Human Rights Dialogue (Phnom Penh) was held in August, and the 14th Japan-Iran Human Rights Dialogue (Tokyo) was held in October. Both sides shared information about their respective measures in the field of human rights, and exchanged views on cooperation in multilateral fora. At the Third Japan Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Policy Dialogue in November, discussions were held on strengthening cooperation between Japan and OHCHR, and the two sides exchanged views on Japan's efforts in the field of human rights, regional human rights situations, including in Asia, and other matters.

(1) Initiatives within the UN

A UN Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council holds sessions throughout the year in Geneva (three regular sessions per year) to discuss issues and make recommendations concerning the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Special Session on the human rights impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan was convened in May, and a resolution on the human rights impact of the conflict in Sudan was adopted. Japan has served as a member of the Council for five terms until 2022, and was also elected in the election of the Human Rights Council members held in October for the term from January 2024 to December 2026 (sixth term).

At the high-level segment of the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council held in February and March, NAKATANI Gen, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan for international human rights issues, delivered a statement. He stated that Japan firmly rejects Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, and called on the international community to unite once again to take action. He also spoke about Japan's continued determination to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights in Asia and the world, and stressed the importance of the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Furthermore, he expressed Japan's deep concerns over the human rights situation in China including Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and urged China to take concrete actions. He also introduced Japan's latest initiatives in the fields of business and human rights; elimination of discrimination against persons affected by Hansen's disease and their family members; realization of a society where diversity is respected and all people value each other's human rights and individual dignity, and where people can live their lives on their own terms; and the protection and promotion of women's human rights. The resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), submitted by the EU and co-sponsored by Japan, was adopted without a vote at the same session (adopted for 16 consecutive years). This resolution strongly demands again that North Korea sincerely listen to the voices of the victims and their families, clarify the fate and whereabouts of disappeared persons and faithfully provide accurate, detailed, and full information promptly to the families of victims, and ensure the realization of the immediate return of all abductees. The resolution also urges North Korea to engage in constructive dialogues with the parties concerned.

At the 53rd Session convened in June and July, Japan, as the main sponsor, submitted a draft resolution on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen's disease) and their family members. This resolution, adopted without a vote, is centered on extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen's disease) and their family members, for a period of three years, with the aim of eliminating discrimination and prejudices against persons affected by the disease and their family members that hinder their participation as equal members of society, for the realization of their enjoyment of human rights in all regions of the world.

At the 54th Session held in September and October, Japan, as the main sponsor, submitted a draft resolution on the human rights situation in Cambodia. This resolution was adopted without a vote. It reflects the concern of the international community over the human rights situation in Cambodia and encourages the Government of Cambodia to put efforts into improving the human rights situation. In addition, it also decided to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia for two years.

B The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly is, along with the Human Rights Council, the UN's main forum focused on human rights. Generally, in October and November, the Committee discusses a wide range of issues, including those concerning social development, women, children, racial discrimination, refugees, crime prevention and criminal justice, as well as the human rights situations in North Korea, Syria and Iran, among others. Resolutions adopted by the Third Committee are then adopted by a plenary session of the General Assembly, contributing to the development of international norms.

At the 78th session of the General Assembly, the resolution on the situation of human rights in North Korea, submitted by the EU and co-sponsored by Japan, was adopted without a vote at a session of the Third Committee in November and a plenary session of the UN General Assembly in December (adopted for the 19th consecutive year). The resolution refers once again to the contents of previous resolutions, including the urgency and importance of the abductions issue, which involves a serious violation of human rights, and of the immediate return of all abductees, and also strongly demands that North Korea sincerely listen to the voices of the victims and their families, faithfully provide accurate, detailed and full information to their families on their fates and whereabouts, and engage in constructive dialogue with the parties concerned. At the same session, the UK, on behalf of 50 countries, delivered a joint statement concerning the serious human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Japan was the only participating country from Asia.

In addition, Japan participated actively in discussions in the international community toward protecting and promoting human rights, including discussions on the human rights situations in countries such as Syria, Iran, and Myanmar, as well as on various human rights issues that include social development and the rights of the child.

C Implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights

In response to the “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)” endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council, Japan has been promoting respect for human rights in the context of business activities under the NAP on Business and Human Rights, formulated by the Government of Japan in 2020.

Moreover, in order to support efforts by business enterprises to respect human rights, the Government of Japan released the cross-industry guidelines on human rights due diligence⁵² in September 2022. In addition, a decision was made in April 2023 on the Government's policy in relation to consideration for human rights in public procurement. The G7 Hiroshima Leaders' Communiqué issued in May also emphasized the need to deepen discussions within and beyond the G7 on business and human rights. Furthermore, Japan also cooperates with international organizations, mainly in countries where Japanese enterprises are operating, to provide support to governments, and conduct training and seminars for Japanese companies and their suppliers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to steadily implement the NAP in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies, while continuing to engage in dialogues with the stakeholders.

• 52 Human rights due diligence: To identify, prevent, mitigate, and address, as well as to provide information on, the impact of corporate activities on human rights.

(2) Initiatives Concerning International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Japan has actively been engaged in efforts for strengthening the national implementation of IHL. In November, Japan participated in the North-East, South-East Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference on IHL. Furthermore, as it does every year, Japan dispatched judges to the IHL Moot Court and Role Play Competitions, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of dissemination of IHL. Japan held a meeting of the IHL National Committee in December.

(3) Contribution to Refugee Issues

From the perspective of international contribution and humanitarian aid, Japan accepted refugees from Myanmar who were temporarily residing in Thailand, under a resettlement program that ran from FY2010 to FY2014 (the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to a third country that agrees to accept them for long-term settlement). Since FY2015, Japan has been accepting refugees from Myanmar who had been residing temporarily in Malaysia.

Thereafter, in light of dramatic changes to the international situation surrounding refugees and trends in the international community, and from the perspective of better balancing the burden of the refugee problem among the international community, Japan made the decision in June 2019 to accept more refugees resettling from third countries, within the range of about 60 people per year.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Japan and abroad, the acceptance of refugees for FY2020 was postponed, but this was resumed in March 2022. A total of 101 households (276 people) came to Japan from FY2010 to the end of 2023.

Refugees arriving in Japan undergo a six-month training program, which includes language studies for daily life and employment support services. Those who have completed the training program live independently in their respective areas of resettlement. Initially, local governments in the Tokyo Metropolitan area played a central role in operations concerning the resettlement of refugees. However, from the perspective of promoting national understanding of the refugee issue, active efforts have been made to resettle refugees in municipalities outside the Tokyo Metropolitan area since 2018.

While the acceptance of resettled refugees has been done primarily by Western countries, Japan is the first country in Asia to accept resettled refugees.